MORAL INSTRUCTION IN SCHOOLS

Evening Star, Issue 17922, 18 March 1922, Page 10

MORAL INSTRUCTION IN SCHOOLS

APPROVED BY CANTERBURY BOARD

[Special to the ‘Star.’]

CHRISTCHURCH, March 17,

The question of making provision for moral instruction during school hours wa-s discussed by tho Canterbury Education Board to-day. Mr T. Hughes moved that tho following bo substituted for clause 20 in the by-laws of the Education Board of Canterbury:—“Except as hereinafter provided, tho ordinary hours of instruction in every district or aided school in the Canterbury education district shall, in the case of all tlie standard classes, bo five hours each day during five days of cadi week, but for the preparatory classes need net exceed four hours, and tho teaching shall be entirely of a secular character, provided that in schools- in which the committee may desire to make provision for special! ’ instruction to supplement tho course of moral instruction prescribed in clause 48 of tho regulations for tho inspection and examination of schools the ordinary hours of instruction shall not bo less than four and a-liall hours each day of five days of each week, during which time tho teaching shall be entirely of a secular character.”

A letter was read from the chief inspector disapproving of the proposal to reduce the hours to four and a-half daily. ___ Mr •‘Hughes said his motion did not propose to introduce Bible reading or instruction in schools. Such would bo carried on outside of the ordinary school hours. His idea was to give committees, should they so desire, the opportunity of including character training in school hours. In fostering educational and material advantages the hoard should not allow the national character to suffer.

?>lr E. 11. Andrews said the authorities were divided on the subject of tho inclusion of moral instruction in school hours. ITo realised there was a great laxity in the matter of parental control, and 'the conduct of tho children suffered. Merc, Bible reading would not provide moral instruction. A suitable text book was required. There was a widespread demand that children _ should have some form of moral instruction, and it was for the board to discover how that demand could be met. He did not think anybody would object to the recital of tho Lord's Prayer, Ten Commandments, and such moral lessons as might bo included in a special text book.

Mr, W. A. Banks said bo admired' tho stand the Catholics took in tho matter' of religious instruction in their schools. Tho Anglican Church, was also developing rapidly a system of Church school instruc-

tiori, that being due to fiio failure of the Slate system to provide any religious instruction for the children. At present the youth of Now Zealand wore growing up with respect for nobody. Even small boys could be hoard talking “Bill Massey” and “ Dick Seddon.” (Laughter.) He regretted having to speak; in that my of the youth, of New Zealand.

Mr J. Jamieson said that in all schools he had visited the Tea Commandments woro posted on tho walk Anything in tho form of religion would teach morals, but moral teaching would not teach religion. Tho motion was carried by 7 votes to 5.